HERITAGE - VISION - BAPTISM - HOLY COMMUNION
OUR BELIEFS
OUR BELIEFS
HERITAGE - VISION - BAPTISM - HOLY COMMUNION
HERITAGE
United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. We believe that:
For more information about United Methodism, click here.
vision
We, the people of God at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, are committed to answering God's call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Mission Statement
Our congregation seeks to fulfill this calling by: Making disciples for Jesus Christ in historic Williamsburg and beyond by:
Goals
Strategic Plan 2018-2022
The Church Council approved WUMC's Strategic Plan for 2018-2022 on August 22, 2017.
To view the plan, click here.
Baptism
Membership in The United Methodist Church begins with the Sacrament of Baptism which celebrates our complete dependence upon God. Through the sacrament, we accept God's gift of grace and yield our lives to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul spoke of being baptized "into Christ" (Rom. 6:3). He may well have had in mind that we are partakers of the grace of Christ through baptism, as well as being initiated into the fellowship that had its origin in Christ
We are baptized into Christ's universal Church, not into a particular denomination or congregation. United Methodists, therefore, acknowledge the baptism of other Christian churches: those persons who transfer their membership from another denomination into our church are not rebaptized. For more information about membership, click here.
Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Sprinkling is the usual method in Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
The United Methodist Church baptizes persons of all ages. Infant baptism symbolizes our utter dependence upon God, giving us one of our best insights into the true meaning of baptism at any age.
When infants or small children are baptized, their parents or sponsors bring the child forward, make the vows on their behalf and pledge to bring them up in the Christian faith. When the children reach the age of confirmation, they themselves then affirm the vows that were made in their behalf at their baptism.
For an expanded discussion of Baptism, including responses to some frequently asked questions, click here.
Holy communion
Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is a sacrament: an act of worship ordained by Christ and a means of grace. Together with our brothers and sisters in Christ we break bread and drink from the cup at the Lord’s Table as Jesus Christ asked his followers to do in 1 Corinthians 11:24 “Do this in remembrance of me . . . "
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated during worship on the first Sunday in each month and during other special services as occasion calls.
The elements of bread and wine (unfermented grape juice in United Methodist churches) are used. Gluten free wafers are available at the rail.
Holy Communion is a family meal: all who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children (including young children), are welcome and are invited to receive the bread and cup. We have no tradition of refusing anyone who desires to partake in the Lord’s Supper.
Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a mystery whose meaning will vary for each of us and from one time to another. For more information, click here.